Differing Opinions

https://odb.org/MY/2022/04/23/what-counts

Whether in church, at work or at home, we will encounter differing views. At work, it is less of an issue as there is a clear line of command. So even if we disagree, the boss makes the call and takes accountability for that decision. At home, the husband or the father is the head of the family but in practice, decisions are usually by consensus. Thus, it means that if the wife or the mother disagrees, it is rarely carried. Even though in church, there is also a chain of authority as in the elders, pastors and committee or board, differing opinions may be more difficult to deal with. This is because everyone serves on a voluntary basis and are ultimately answerable to God. In fact, attending church itself is voluntary and thus if a person with a different opinion gets ostracised, he or she just leaves and moves on to another church and there are many churches out there.

How do we deal with differing opinions? Paul advises that let peace prevail. In Romans 14, Paul teaches that we should go on a path that leads to peace and mutual edification. In a way, it means trying to accommodate everyone’s point of view and if someone will be stumbled by our decision, then we refrain from taking that action. That’s rather radical because prevailing wisdom is to go with the majority. But a path leading to peace and mutual edification is not necessarily the path of the majority. In fact it speaks of accommodating the dissenting view.

I think at the base of all decisions, we should always follow Paul’s advice to go for peace and mutual edification. What’s the point of pushing through the view of the majority if it stumbles a few whom Christ has saved? Unless not taking that action endangers the spiritual health of the whole group or church. In which case, it is for the overall good and benefit of the whole community of believers. If that’s not the case, then I think it’s better to just act in the path of peace and mutual edification, bearing in mind the spiritual well being of the dissenting voice.

At the personal level, I think a much easier approach to peace and mutual edification is to hold on to the belief that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion on a variety of issues and it is not for us to impose and neither must they conform to our way of thinking. So if someone supports BN or PN or PH, they are entitled to their viewpoint. We are not to condemn or ostracise them.

What’s the message today? Always go for the path of peace and mutual edification unless everyone is jeopardised. That should be the basis of our decisions as I believe that is the path that will be pleasing to God and glorifies His name. If possible, no one should be left behind. We should run as fast as the last man running as we want to bring everyone along if that is possible.